whisted | for jollyboat: anywhere you go

He doesn't quite fit.

Horatio had known, of course, that he wouldn't. Even if he had managed to make his way onto a ship years ago, everyone would have known he was odd. Perhaps it's for the best that he's clearly just a bit skittish, just a bit uncertain of himself unlike the other young men his age. Perhaps that would distract the human mind from looking to see just why, exactly, this one didn't seem to be quite entirely right.

It was, nonetheless, one thing to know and another thing to live. Being bundled in heavy unfamiliar fabric is surprisingly uncomfortable. The uniform is far more restrictive than the clothing he had forced himself to become accustomed to while hovering around the port. The sensation of being on a boat, despite the familiarity of the sea, is throwing his stomach through something of a loop. He can't shift and change direction. He can't twist along with the waves, comfortable and easy, or cut through below the discomfort of breakers tugging in the wrong direction. It's unnatural, here on a warped version of the surface. It's twisting something uncomfortable in his shoulders, almost dizzying as he tries to find his feet under him.

This is what he wanted, and it doesn't quite fit.

For the most part, feeling his skin in the sack slung over his shoulders is reassuring. His fingers can worry against the familiar softness with each odd rush of discomfort. This, after all, is the back-up plan. This is the fail-safe if everything falls completely to pieces and he needs to throw himself simply back into the sea. This is the piece of himself which will always fit properly, no matter where he is.

That's why it's resting at the top of his sack as he scrambles up properly into the ship. That's why, in the bluster of humanity, the young selkie doesn't notice that his skin has spilled out onto the deck.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

jollyboat

Archie will shift in deeper into the waters as Horatio makes his way around the loch, just out to where he'll almost need to start swimming. He wants the selkie to be able to properly enjoy himself, after all.

Absolutely can't help but smile brightly as Horatio circles a little closer.

From:

whisted

It's just like everything else has been with Archie. It's the same gentle easing, the same clear line the young man doesn't want to cross. It's what makes Archie so incredibly easy to trust.

And trust is the foundation of eventually swerving back fully to the shallows, twisting in a lazy sort of circle before he brushes contentedly in against Archie's side for a moment's rest.

From:

jollyboat

Archie wants to touch him, but cautiously refrains just in case. He grins upon feeling Horatio brush against him, but stays carefully still to try to make sure he doesn't startle the selkie.

He isn't certain Horatio can hear him entirely, but he speaks down to the water all the same. Hopefully the obvious adoration on his face and in his voice isn't too much of a hindrance.

"You don't have to stay all the way over here the whole time if you don't want to," he tells him, "I want you to have fun."

From:

whisted

Horatio's head bobs properly up over the lapping little waves, head slightly cocked in an attitude of listening. For all he's a quiet young man, he's less of a quiet pinniped--at least in as much as it's far more difficult to moderate his volume.

The bark is, at least, hopefully clearly pleased. So is the roll Horatio takes through the water as he begins a lazy circle around Archie.

Swimming is fun, but sharing something with the man he loves certainly is as well.

From:

jollyboat

Archie can't help the entirely joyful laugh as Horatio circles about him. It's got him moving out more properly into the loch, starting to tread water so he can more properly swim with the selkie.

It's not quite meeting halfway, but hopefully it's enough.

From:

whisted

It's more than enough. It's another step of openness, of trust. And it's truly lovely to swim in close again, nudging comfortably against Archie's side again before bolting into a wider circle.

There's something incredibly comforting about swimming free for a moment and then sweeping back in, enjoying the warm lovely presence of Archie in the water.

From:

jollyboat

"You really are-- beautiful, Horatio."

Archie can't help the worshipful murmur that escapes his lips as he watches him swim. It helps keep three other words from falling instead-- Words he isn't sure the selkie will want to hear just yet, if ever.

From:

whisted

The actual words don't matter. It's the warmth in Archie's voice and the look in Archie's eye that has Horatio drifting to a stop briefly year the young man.

It takes a bit of a squirm to push himself briefly further out of the water to bump his nose against the sailor's. There's a soft 'whmph' of air before he flops back into the loch.

It's close to the words neither of them have quite said, really.

From:

jollyboat

That earns a sharp, entirely affectionate exhale from Archie. Has him shifting to cautiously reach a hand out, wanting to brush lightly against Horatio.

There's so much that has been gently allowed by the selkie. He's so afraid of crossing the line that must exist somewhere.

From:

whisted

Maybe they'll bump into the edge of Horatio's trust someday. Maybe a movement will be just a bit too sudden or a grip just a bit too tight, and something will crumble a little.

Today, it's still the easiest thing in the world to complete his next circle by brushing up against Archie's outstretched palm.

From:

jollyboat

Archie can't help the somewhat trembling laugh, at that. The beaming smile that touches his lips.

Whispering "thank you" is much safer than saying "I love you," instead.

From:

whisted

That's good. That's something shared. That's an expression of where they've found themselves now, safe and happy and actually laughing when they're together.

The knowledge sits in Horatio's chest, warm as anything, as he dives to swim briefly into the deepest regions of the loch. The cooler water feels just a bit more like home.

Then, for better or worse, the selkie will drag himself back to shore, nudging clumsily along on his belly toward the rocks where his clothes had been shed.

From:

jollyboat

Archie will dip his head below to swim properly for a bit, half-attempting to keep an eye on Horatio and half just enjoying himself.

He'll pop his head fretfully to glance Horatio's way as he starts pulling himself out. He'll avert his gaze and wait a few long moments before following after.

"'ll right?"

From:

whisted

It only takes a cursory glance to confirm that Archie isn't looking. There's no need to fuss and hide as he wriggles out of his skin, stretched contentedly for a moment as the sun hits his more human flesh.

Most of his clothes has been lazily pulled on again when Archie joins him, skin neatly tucked back into a tight square.

"All right, Archie."

From:

jollyboat

"'s good," he says as he settles to a seat somewhat nearby him, "Looked like you were having fun."

Which is the most important thing.

From:

whisted

"I was."

Nothing hits the spot quite like a good swim. Still not fully folded into human clothing, Horatio moves to sprawl comfortably beside Archie, head tucking comfortably up against the young man's thigh.

"Were you?"

From:

jollyboat

"Definitely."

And he's going to smile down affectionately at Horatio when he sprawls, fingers dropping to trace lightly against his arm.

"'s really nice."

From:

whisted

That's enough encouragement to curl closer, nuzzling his cheek in contentedly against Archie's lap.

"Glad we could-- together."

Just like they could do this together, if only for a little while.

From:

jollyboat

"Me, too."

And he especially loves being able to cuddle like this, together, too.

"I like-- doing things with you."

Likes feeling like a part of Horatio's world, too.

From:

whisted

Cuddling up in bed when they share a room is lovely. This--out in the sun, completely free--is just even better.

His vocalization hasn't quite settled again. He usually doesn't have to speak so soon after returning to shore. The first sound in his throat is a low happy half-growl, pleased as the toothy grin he flashes up at Archie.

"--I-- like you."

From:

jollyboat

That pleased sound has Archie sighing happily, his shoulders relaxing into something entirely comfortable. It's a peacefulness Horatio has started to see since they've settled together, but this is a whole new level, now.

His hand will shift to catch lightly at Horatio's, wanting to squeeze affectionately.

"I-- like you, too," he says, voice entirely adoring, "Very much."

More than just like, even.

From:

whisted

Archie is happy. Archie is comfortably relaxed, grinning and slumping and catching hold of his hand.

It takes a beat to get his own fingers properly tangled around the young man's. It takes another to get his arms to follow his direction, tugging their twined fingers to his lips for a light kiss.

"--forever."

From:

jollyboat

Archie can’t help but let loose another soft, pleased huff; a sound he’s picked up from Horatio.

“—Really?”

It’s easy to believe in a soft moment like this, but it’s still a surprise.

From:

whisted

"Really."

It's easy to be certain, with Archie. It's easy to trace back over their time together to get to this moment and feel absolutely sure.

"If that's what you want too."

From:

jollyboat

“I do.”

It’s an entirely devoted murmur as he carefully lifts their joined hands to now press a kiss against Horatio’s fingers.

“For-forever, then. ‘f we both want it.”